It was several years after Manufacturers Bank opened in 1933 before the development of a branch system was undertaken. This was primarily the effects of the Great Depression, and the costs involved in buying land and building a branch network to gather deposits, and provide convenience to customers. The expansion was further delayed because of World War II and the need to conserve materials needed for the war effort.

In addition to the gathering of deposits, the branch network provided our customers with access to the consumer lending programs, trust department services, international banking facilities, commercial lending opportunities, and in the later stages the corporate services and electronic bankings services we were to develop. Growth of a branch network was a commitment to increased staff, the development of management, and a search to establish each branch in a rapidly growing area of opportunity.

The first branch offices opened in 1933 (Branch #1) was in Highland Park at the corner of Woodward and Manchester. This office was directly across the street from the Highland Park Assembly plant of the Ford Motor Company. An underground tunnel was built to connect the bank with the paymasters office in the plant. This was done for security purposes, and to reduce the time it required to move money to and from the bank.

The additional offices to open in 1933 (Branch #2) was at Michigan and Neckel in Dearborn. Shortly thereafter Branch #3 was opened at Michigan and Mason, also in Dearborn. At the time of its first annual report in 1933 Manufacturers Bank was ranked as eightieth of the American Bankers annual list of the nation's largest banks. Ten years later Manufacturers was in the top thirty banks in the nation. The fourth branch office to be opened at Warren and Calhoun in Dearborn opened in the December 1948

Branch #5 - Wyoming-Fenkell - 1950

Branch #6 - Gratiot Pinewood - 1951

Branch #7 - Telegraph-Sheridan -1952

Branch #8 - Mack - Lochmoor- 1952 (The original office was across Mack in what is now The Original Pancake House)

Branch #9 - M/O of United Savings Bank

Branch #10 - Telegraph - Carlysle - 1952

Branch #11 - Michigan - American Road - 1953

This building was demolished in 2004 to make way for the construction of a new office.

Branch #12 - Plymouth - Evergreen - 1953

Branch #13 - Van Dyke - Continental - 1954

Branch #14 - Henry Ford Hospital Office -1953

Branch #15 - Five Mile - Kinloch - 1955

Branch #16 - Eight Mile - Chapel-1955

In 1955 Manufacturers Bank and Industrial National Bank effected a merger, and the branch network was doubled. The Offices of Industrial National Bank were renumbered to follow the Manufacturers Bank order as follows:

Branch #17 - Michigan - Griswold was the Main Office of Industrial National Bank

This picture shows Branch 17 after the alterations to the original building, which was nine stories high, were completed.

Branch #18 - Washington Boulevard-Grand River

Branch #19 - Jefferson - Coplin

Branch #20 - Uptown Office (Woodward- West Grand Boulevard)

Branch #21 - Grand River -Dundee

Branch #22 - Gratiot-Pennsylvania

Branch #23 - Vernor - Springwells (later moved to Vernor-Inglis)

Branch #24 - Fenkell - Petosky (later moved to Lyndon-Livernois)

Branch #25 - East Warren - Bishop

Branch #26 - Fenkell -Lesure (later moved to Fenkell-Hubbell)

Branch #27 - Melvindale Office

Branch #28 - Kelly - Whittier

Branch #29 - Joy Road - Stahlein

Branch #30 - Seven Mile-Mckay

Branch #31 - Eight Mile - Schaefer

Branch #32 - Pleasant Ridge Office

Branch #33 - Telegraph - Maple

Branch #34 - Telegraph - Ten Mile Road

Branch #35 - Northville Office

Branch #36 - Plymouth - Virgil was the first office opened - in 1959 - following the merger with Industrial National Bank

The rapid expansion of the branch banking system following the Industrial merger lasted through the early 1980's and created a new banking department called The Branch Department. The first head of the Branch Department was David Barry. When Dave Barry retired, Paul Hussey was named to the position. When Paul Hussey was promoted to Executive Vice President, Larry Hemmen became the Head of the Branch Department . Thomas K. Fisher followed Larry Hemmen, and was in that position at the time of the merger in 1992.

Because the Michigan banking laws limited branch banking beyond 25 miles from the Main Office, and was restrictive in other ways, it was necessary for Manufacturers Bank to form "de novo" (new) banks in market areas where we could not establish branch banks of Manufacturers Bank. Manufacturers Bank was required to form a holding company, Manufacturers National Corporation, which could operate banks on a statewide basis. This lead to the formation or purchase of

Manufacturers Bank of Southfield - Don Dean, President
Manufacturers Bank of Livonia - Charles Ball, President
Manufacturers Bank of Novi - Chuck Wood, President
Manufacturers Bank of Lansing - Joe Fraunheim, President
Manufacturers Bank of St. Clair Shores - Paul Ellis, President
Manufacturers Bank of Saline - Tom Collins, President
Manufacturers Bank of Ann Arbor -
Manufacturers Bank of Coopersville - Terry Carpenter
Manufacturers Bank of Grand Rapids -Don Dean
Affiliated Bank in Illinois

After changes to the National Banking Act, these subsidiary banks were merged into the branch banking network in the late 1980's.

At the time of the merger in 1992, Manufacturers Bank had over 100 branch offices to serve our customers

Here are some names of early Branch Managers

It is hoped that the role they played in building Manufacturers Bank will never be forgotten. I apologize for those who names I no longer remember. If you can think of one or two, please let me know.

I hear ethereal whispers persuasive, soft and still,
"Friends, if you don't remember us, who will?"